Joseph O’Leary

Training Manager

Joe has been fact checking UK politics and policy for over a decade, having joined the team in 2011. He has delivered training in fact checking to civil servants, statisticians, journalists and businesses, both in the UK and internationally, as well as designing accredited courses in data analysis for the FE sector. Joe also enjoys teaching critical thinking in primary and secondary schools, and regularly gives talks to journalism students. He is now designing courses to help businesses and employees use data with more confidence.

23 June 2020

This honeycomb pattern was made by bees, but it was no accident

By Joseph O’Leary • 2 mins

The picture was originally attributed to bees at a National Trust property, but actually seems to come from a beekeeper who partly curated the pattern. Read

Fact check

4 June 2020

Europe

Claim that extending the Brexit transition period could cost £380 billion is not credible

By Joseph O’Leary • 7 mins

Most studies into the economic impacts of Brexit show leaving the customs union and single market will mean the UK economy is smaller compared to remaining. Read

Fact check

26 May 2020

Europe

Claim that 7.7% of UK goods exports go to the EU is a big underestimate

By Joseph O’Leary • 2 mins

The Express has misquoted figures on the UK goods trade with the EU. Read

Fact check

21 May 2020

Immigration

It’s likely that over 100,000 people have entered the UK since the lockdown began

By Joseph O’Leary • 3 mins

Government estimates on arrivals are opaque, but recent figures suggest 100,000 is an underestimate. Read

Fact check

19 May 2020

These patents are not for the new coronavirus or its vaccine

By Joseph O’Leary • 2 mins

The patents are for other forms of coronavirus and show no evidence Covid-19 was manufactured. Read

Fact check

15 May 2020

Economy, Business & Finance

Claims about who’s paid by the state aren’t very meaningful

By Joseph O’Leary and Abbas Panjwani • 5 mins

People can be supported by the state in lots of ways, by employment, benefits or pensions. Read

Fact check

5 May 2020

There’s no evidence immigrants caused a PPE shipment to be destroyed at Dover

By Joseph O’Leary • 1 min

The Home Office says these claims are totally false. Read

Fact check

1 May 2020

Economy, Business & Finance

The government hasn’t provided evidence for its claim that 15,000 arrive per day into the UK

By Joseph O’Leary • 4 mins

Claims from the Health Secretary that 15,000 passengers are still arriving in the UK per day during the coronavirus lockdown haven’t been backed up. Read